LGBTQ Youth and Young Adults Resources


Understanding Prevalence and Risks for Transgender Students

As part of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2017, 10 states and nine large urban school districts piloted a new question about gender identity, allowing researchers to compare risks affecting transgender students and their cisgender peers. Data suggests nearly two percent of students in grades 9-12 identify as transgender; these youth reported higher rates of violent victimization, risky sexual behavior, suicidality and substance use than peers. Safer learning environments and increased access to culturally competent mental and physical health care are recommended.

Read the full report here: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6803a3.htm

 

LGBT Friendly Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

According to the Rehab Center, "Due in large part to the vast uncertainty, instability, and myriad of challenges that many LGBT individuals face on a daily basis, they often struggle with emotional and mental health challenges. Even though public support and acceptance has dramatically increased in recent years, many individuals still face a discrepancy in the way they are treated in their day-to-day life experiences, in comparison to heterosexuals." In this article, the Rehab Center explains some pertinent areas of concern that may influence substance abuse risk, and thusly must be considered as a person seeks and encounters treatment.

Read the article here: https://www.rehabcenter.net/lgbt-friendly-drug-alcohol-rehab-centers/

 

Beyond 4 Walls and a Roof: Addressing Homelessness Among Transgender Youth

In February 2015, The Center for American Progress released the report, "Beyond 4 Walls and a Roof: Addressing Homelessness Among Transgender Youth". This report compiles existing research in order to provide an overview of the demographics of transgender homeless youth, their experiences while homeless, and the factors that contribute to homelessness and housing instability among this community. It also outlines a series of recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers to meet the housing needs of transgender young people and to improve outcomes for those experiencing homelessness.

Access and download the report here: 
https://yoc.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/Resources/resources%20-%20beyond%204%20walls.pdf

 

Incidence and Vulnerability of LGBTQ Homeless Youth

This 2009 report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, "Incidence and Vulnerability of LGBTQ Homeless Youth" addresses the incidence of homelessness and its risks among LGBTQ youth. This brief reviews research concerning LGBTQ homeless youth and offers suggestions for interventions with positive outcomes for homeless adolescents and young adults. 

Read the report brief here: https://yoc.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/Resources/resources%20-%20lgbtq%20brief.pdf

 

Special Population Fact Sheet

A 2009 National Alliance to End Homelessness Fact Sheet on meeting the needs of LGBTQ homeless youth from a national approach. The fact sheet provides context around the prevalence and experiences of LGBTQ homeless youth and "various incidence studies of homeless youth in the United States estimate that over 2 million youth experience one night of homelessness each year, with over 100,000 sleeping long-term on the streets." You will also learn more about National Alliance to End Homelessness recommendations for best practices in serving LGBTQ homeless youth. 

 

 

Special Populations and Best Practices

A collaborative document from Lambda Legal, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Network for Youth (NN4Y), and the National Center for Lesbian Rights includes best practices in working with LGBTQ youth. Though the recommendations listed in the document are specific to providing inclusive and culturally competent services to LGBT youth, it is extremely important to remember that many LGBT youth are also youth of color. Service providers, supervisors and administrators, should receive training on, and examine issues related to, race, racism, white privilege, and the intersection with gender and sexuality, in order to effectively respond to the needs of LGBT youth of color who are homeless. Agencies can use this document to help determine the fundamental issues they need to address to best work with LGBT youth and to evaluate how well they are currently meeting the needs of the LGBT youth they serve. 

 

Special Populations Resource List 

This document contains a wide variety of resources to assist programs in developing and implementing programming as they work with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersexed (GLBTQ+), and 2-Spirit RHY and their families. The document contains active hyperlinks to evidence-informed and research-based materials including research articles, toolkits, and training curricula.

Access the GLBTQ+ Resource document here: 
https://yoc.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/Resources/resources%20-%20glbtq%20resource%20list.pdf